Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad
Directing
Biography
Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad (24), a young filmmaker from Bangladesh, recently completed his studies in Film and Media Studies at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. He began his creative journey with the experimental short film "God Gift" in 2019. He has explored various narratives in short films, including "Chaya Moricher Bone" (2021), a one-take short inspired by Bangladesh's liberation war. Ishtiyak has directed several independent shorts that have gained recognition at film festivals worldwide. His film "Run Away" particularly stood out, earning six awards at festivals in Bangladesh, India, the USA, and England, with the UK Film Review praising it as "beautifully tragic." Ishtiyak recently completed his first feature-length film, titled “The Blind Girl and An Elephant” (2026).
Known For
On the day of the pandemic of corona virus in Bangladesh , the story of the movie revolves around a Bangladeshi garments worker. At home, she has a mother, a younger sister and a restless father. Can a garments worker go to her mother who lives in village ? Can she buy red clothes and shoes for her sister? Or not.
Run Away - Polayon
On a cold winter night, rivalry between three gangs get heated as they try to lay claim to a corpse lying on a deserted road.
Bish Pipra
During the independence war of Bangladesh in 1971, a father who lives in village, decides to stay back at home to help all the family members to escape to safety. The Pakistani army has headed towards their home for a sudden reason , will the father make it through?
Chaya Moricher Bone
Farin came to Dhaka for university coaching and started staying at her aunt's house. A few days later she felt pain in her lower abdomen but she could not understand why this was happening. Meanwhile, while going to the coaching, she started getting chocolates in front of the door every day. Her uncle and aunt became worried about these unfortunate problems. After waking up suddenly one night, Farin realizes why all this was happening to her.
Biral Tapassya
A band of drugged up robbers attempt a jewellery shop heist, until everything falls apart!
Helium Monkey Balloon
Three girls try to flee their village to escape the superstitions and fanatic hostility surrounding them. Only the blind girl makes it out, finding herself face-to-face with an elephant.
The Blind Girl and an Elephant
Rashed, a fearless artist active in recent protests, faces a crisis when his pregnant wife, Runa, goes into labor amid a nationwide crisis and curfew. With no ambulances, he defies the curfew, desperately searching for help to save her.